The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth!

The Pillar and Foundation of the Truth!

With this edition Skjulte Skatter will have been published for 50 years. This is a long time in one generation, and Skjulte Skatter has had a considerable impact during that time.

It is written about God’s house, which is the church of the living God, that it is the pillar and foundation of the truth. There is a significant difference between the church and a Christian or religious denomination. A denomination champions a few truths and has a definitive doctrine and rules. There is no development in that, but rather a constant regression. These denominations have usually arisen through a revival during which a few truths have become living. When such denominations have a 50-year anniversary, they have to look back to the glorious times of 40-50 years ago, because now everything has become superficial and is dying. As is the denomination, so also is their publication and their literature. They like to have it appear in a large format, but the content does not correspond to its size. When we look into such a large, religious publication, we find very little of God’s Word. We find what we could call religious “feel-good” stories. They have nothing to do with God’s Word which is a two-edged sword. Heb. 4:12. Then there are many travel accounts and advertisements for their activities and many announcements. The whole thing is reminiscent of a business.

Against this dark background we can better appreciate the church and Skjulte Skatter. Throughout these 50 years it has proved to be the pillar and foundation of the truth. Skjulte Skatter has not championed a few truths, but it has fought for the truth. It has not sought to be great or recognized, but it has held up God’s light so it could shine into the religious darkness of our times to help the upright and set them free. Religious leaders have been afraid of it, and as a result they could not so freely play their game in the darkness of the times.

We do not know how things would have developed if Skjulte Skatter had not existed, but we who have followed along can clearly see how the publication—as light and salt—has put a brake on the corruption in vast areas.

A few preachers have tried to take some of the light and salt from it and preach about it in their denominations. They usually got the reputation of being “deep.” Otherwise, almost all of them have agreed to warn against Skjulte Skatter and present it as the worst deception of our times. Their zeal is, in a manner of speaking, sufficient testimony to the power and the effect of the paper.

Paul writes, “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” 2 Cor. 13:8. It has also become evident throughout these 50 years that no one else could do anything against the truth either, and that those who oppose the truth are put to shame. Also in these days, and especially by means of Skjulte Skatter, the truth has stood the test and has become the means of unspeakable salvation and blessing to upright souls.

I am one of those who praise God for having received grace to live in these days in order to learn to know the truth through the church and through Skjulte Skatter. In this way I have come into fellowship with upright people all over so we can be built up without strife or quarreling in the Spirit of Christ to be one body. Eph. 4:15-16. By God’s grace this body continues to grow and increase in content, and it has in these last years spread to many countries in Europe. Therefore Skjulte Skatter is now being published in German as Das Leben with the same editor, and the same truths are being published in De Weg in The Netherlands with Br. Littoij as editor and in English as The Way with Br. Williams as editor.

Those who can think back 50 years do not say, “It was glorious then, but now . . . .” On the contrary, all of us must say, as far as we can think back, “Then it was glorious, and it has become more and more glorious.” This is how it is among us, in the church, and with the publication.

This word has been fulfilled in our lives: “But the path of the just is like the shining light, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18.

The publication was started by Bros. Johan and Aksel Smith. Aksel died in 1919, and Johan O. Smith was the editor until 1943 when his son Aksel J. Smith took over. Johan O. Smith lived until May 1, 1943 and so had the joy of seeing the publication continue along the same lines and in the same spirit. Even now we cannot notice a difference because of a change of editors, and so this word of Paul’s has been fulfilled to the fullest: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all . . . .” Eph. 4:4-6.

The fact that the publication has not been the mouthpiece of any particular denomination or that anyone could use it as a platform to gain a reputation has been the very reason it could be the pillar and foundation of the truth. John 7:17-18. Therefore everything that has been written throughout these 50 years is viable and none of it has to be corrected.

Skjulte Skatter has also been bound in annual volumes, and many people have all the issues. Several of the first annual bound volumes have been reprinted. All these annual bound volumes right from the year 1912 are still precious reading material today for souls who are seeking the truth, and we recommend them highly.